turn to him. Noe preached repentance, and as many as believed his words were saved. Jonah foretold the destruction of Nineveh, but the people of the city repented of their sins, appeased the wrath of God by their supplications, and, though strangers to him, were delivered.

They only have Christ, who think humbly of themselves, not those who exalt themselves over his fold. Christ himself, the sceptre of the majesty of God, came not in pomp and haughtiness, but was clothed with humility.

Let us be imitators of those who walked in sheep skins and goat skins, preaching the coming of Christ;* we mean Elias, Elisha, and Ezechiel, whose praise is in the scriptures. Abraham was called the friend of God, yet when he regarded the divine glory he cried in humility, "I am dust and ashes." Job was called a just and blameless man, yet he accuseth himself, saying, "No man is free from pollution, though his life be but a day." Moses was faithful in all his house, and though highly honoured of God magnified not himself; but when the voice spake unto him out of the bush, he said, "Who am I that thou sendest me?"

These examples of humility have been written not only for the improvement of former ages but of our own: with these, therefore, before our eyes, let us direct all our views to that peace with which we set out; above all let us contemplate the conduct of the great Creator himself, his gentleness and long-suffering, remembering that he is kind, and easy to be entreated towards all his creatures.

But he is also a God of order: the heavenly bodies at first impelled by his hand are subject unto him in peace: day and night perform their stated revolutions without encroaching on one another: the earth, according to his will, yields in due season an abundant supply of nutriment for men and beasts, not contending with him nor struggling to change the times and laws which he hath appointed unto it. The ocean, circumscribed by his power, breaks not the bounds which he hath prescribed, but obeys the word of its Maker "Hitherto shalt thou go and no farther." Spring and summer, autumn and winter, succeed each other in peace. The fountains flow uninterrupted for the use of man. The inferior tribes of animals live in harmony with their own kind, fulfilling the law of their nature. All these works of the great author of the universe are constituted in peace and harmony.

Let them not, beloved brethren, be turned to our condemna

This shows in what sense the first christians undersood Heb. xi. 37.

tion. "The spirit of God is a lantern that searcheth the hearts." Let us dread, therefore, to revolt from his obedience. Let us be willing to offend foolish and vain glorious men rather than God. Let us reverence our " rulers," honour our elders (presbyters), and discipline the young in the fear of God. Let us form our wives to that which is good; to chastity, simplicity of manners, gentleness and government of the tongue, and let them not direct their charity by their inclination, but by an impartial regard to all who truly fear God. Let our children be taught in the school of Christ, learn what is true humility towards God, and what that holy and reverend fear of him, which saveth all that walk with him in a pure heart; for he is the searcher of hearts and guide of the counsels of men. He gives his holy spirit, and when he willeth takes it away. By this spirit he speaketh unto us. Come, my sons, hearken unto me, and I will teach you the fear of the Lord: what man is he that desireth life, and loveth many days that he may see good: keep thy tongue from evil and thy lips that they speak no guile: depart from evil and do good: seek peace and pursue it for the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open to their cry; but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.

Let us not, my beloved, join with such as exclaim," Where is the promise of his coming?" Let us rather consider the evidence, which the succession of day and night, and the dissolution and growth of seeds, afford of that resurrection, of which our Lord Jesus Christ is the first fruits: we shall not then think it strange that God should raise those up who trust in him and serve him. Having this hope, let our hearts be fixed on him who is faithful to his promises, and just in his judgments, who cannot lie. And as we cannot flee from God, who sees and hears all things in his embrace; let us stand in awe of him, laying aside every impure desire, and wicked work, that through his mercy we may be saved from future condemnation. Let us also love him who has made us the objects of his choice, and draw nigh to him with pure hands and a holy heart: and being his portion, let us carefully abstain from evil speaking, abominable lusts and impurity of every kind, and from that pride which is hateful to God; and let us practise universal holiness. Let us be clothed with concord, being chaste and humble, avoiding all detraction, and being justified by our works, not by our speeches: for shall a man full of talk be justified? God hates such as exalt themselves. Arrogance and presumption characterize those who are accur

sed of him; but meekness, humility, and gentleness, those whom he blesses.

Let us then lay fast hold of his blessing; and that we may know how it is to be obtained, let us consider what has taken place from the beginning. Was not Abraham blessed, because through faith he wrought righteousness? Isaac also, in the confident persuasion of what was to happen, cheerfully yielded himself a sacrifice. These were greatly honoured, not for their own sakes, or on account of their works, or the righteousness which they had wrought, but through the will of God: and we, in like manner, being called by his will in Christ Jesus, are not justified by ourselves, neither by our wisdom, knowledge, nor piety, nor even by those works which we have performed in holiness of heart; but by that faith, whereby the Almighty has justified all men from the beginning.

But shall we, on this account, my brethren, be slothful to perform good works, and forsake the law of love? God forbid! Let us unweariedly fulfil his will, and with all our powers, work the work of righteousness. The faithful labourer receives the bread of his labour; but the indolent and remiss cannot meet the eye of their employer. We must, therefore, not be slothful in the performance of any good work. Let us be subject to his will, as the angels are, and being gathered together with one heart, as well as in one place, let us, with one accord, earnestly cry unto him, that we may be made partakers of his glorious promises.

Beloved, how wonderful are the gifts of God! The hope of immortal life! glory begun in righteousness! assured faith! and holy moderation! These are the effects of his bounty which we discern and feel even now; but the excellency and extent of those things which are prepared for them that wait for him in faith and patience, God only knoweth. In this way, therefore, we have found Jesus Christ our Saviour, the High Priest of our obla tions, and helper of our weakness: by him, who is the brightness of the Divine Majesty, are our minds opened: by him are our darkened understandings enlightened: by him we enjoy the knowledge of immortality; while his enemies, even the wicked who oppose their own wills to the will of God, shall be made his footstool.

Let us also, in our warfare as christians, imitate the order and discipline of soldiers in an army, considering that all are not generals, or tribunes, or centurions, but to every one a station is appointed by the commander, and in that station he remaineth. The great cannot subsist without the little, nor the little without

the great. Let, therefore, the body of Christ be preserved and united in us; let every one be subject to his neighbour in charity, in that station wherein he is placed. Let not the strong contemn the weak; and let the weak pay respect to the strong. The rich ought to be bountiful to the poor; and the poor ought to bless God for having raised up for him a benefactor. The wise ought to prove his wisdom, not by words, but by good works. The humble ought to leave it to another to praise him; and the chaste , ought not to be high-minded, knowing from whom he hath received the gift of continence. Let us, in short, consider who and what we are, and how he who formed us, prevented us with his benefits even before we were born. In obedience to his commands, every thing ought to be done in due order; our oblations ought to be made, and our religious offices performed, at stated and regular seasons, as well as at the places, and by the persons whom he, by his authority, hath appointed; that being thus done according to his will, they may be acceptable to him. Moreover, to the high priest, by the levitical law, are assigned his peculiar functions; and the priests and levites each fill their proper stations; but the layman is to confine himself to such things as are commanded to laymen. The appointed sacrifices, also, are only offered at Jerusalem; and they who transgress this order, shall die the death. But, my brethren, the greater is your knowledge, the greater also is your danger, if ye transgress.

Jesus Christ was sent by God to preach the gospel, the apos tles by Christ, and both according to the will of God. When, therefore, they went forth and preached the word in provinces and cities, they ordained the first-fruits of their ministry, after having proved them by the spirit, to be bishops and deacons over such as should believe. Our apostles likewise, being informed beforehand by our Lord Jesus Christ, foresaw that strife would arise respecting the name and office of bishops, for which reason they made the appointments already mentioned, and afterwards laid down a rule for the succession, that when they themselves should fall asleep, other approved men might follow in their office and ministry. Wherefore we do not think that such as were appointed by them, or other chosen men, with the consent and approbation of the whole church, and who have exercised their ministry blamelessly, humble, gently, and disinterestedly, can be justly deprived of their office. It would be no small sin in us to do so. But happy are those presbyters who are already departed in peace and joy, and have no longer any fear of such a deposition as ye have inflicted upon some pious and blameless

ministers who are yet alive. Ye are, indeed, contentious brethren, and zealous about things which belong not to salvation. But search the scriptures, which are the true words of the holy spirit: nothing perverse or unjust is written there. There you will not find that righteous men were ever cast off or persecuted by holy men, but by the wicked and unjust. But be ye joined to the innocent and the righteous, for they are the elect of God. Why do wrath, contentions, schisms, and warfare, rage among you? Have we not one God and one Christ? Is not one spirit of grace poured out upon our hearts? And have we not one calling in Christ? Why then do we rend in pieces the members of his body? nay, why do we stir up sedition against our own body? forgetting, in our madness, that we are members one of another? Your schism hath subverted the faith of many; it hath caused that of many to totter; it hath given grief to all of us; and yet you allow it to continue.

Who among you has a generous and tender heart? who is endued with compassion and love? Let him say, if these contentions and these schisms be on my account, I will depart whithersoever you will, only let the flock of Christ continue in peace under its appointed ministers.

Let us pray, likewise, for those who have fallen into sin, that they may be renewed in meekness and lowliness of mind, that se they may submit, not to us, but to the will of God. Let us, also, revive the spirit of discipline which used to give no offence, for reproof is profitable to us, and it unites us to the will of God. And ye who have caused this sedition, repent and submit yourselves to your presbyters, bending the knees of your hearts; laying aside pride and arrogance; for it is better for you to be little, but approved in the fold of Christ; than to be high-minded, and to be cast out.

Now may the all-seeing God, the ruler of our spirits, and the Lord of all flesh, who hath chosen our Lord Jesus Christ, and us through him, to be his peculiar people, grant to every soul which calleth upon his glorious name, faith, fear, peace, patience, longsuffering, temperance, holiness, and wisdom, through our great Master and high priest, Jesus Christ, through whom be unto him all glory, majesty, power, and honour, both now and ever. Amen.